A traffic crash involving two alleged drunken drivers drew Bakersfield police to the area of South H Street and Planz Road just before 11 p.m. Tuesday.

Officers found that two vehicles were travelling south on South H Street when they collided, causing the vehicle of driver Robert Castillo to roll. Castillo, 23, was taken to a local hospital and arrested on suspicion of DUI.

The other driver, Christopher Morales, 23, ran from the scene but was later arrested on suspicion of DUI with injury, hit and run with injury and DUI with blood alcohol content of .08 or more, police said.

-- The Californian

Bakersfield police are asking for the public's help identifying a suspect wanted for robbery and assault with a deadly weapon.

At 4:22 p.m. March 6, the suspect entered the CVS Pharmacy at 4400 Coffee Road, selected merchandise and left the store without paying. A store employee confronted the suspect in the parking lot, and the suspect assaulted the employee.

As the victim walked back toward the store, the suspect drove her vehicle at the victim. The suspect struck and injured the victim with her vehicle.

The suspect is described as white, in her mid-40s, 5-feet-8-inches to 5-feet-10-inches tall, 190-220 pounds, with long brown hair.

Anyone with information regarding the identity of this suspect is asked to contact the Bakersfield Police Department at 327-7111 or Detective Ted King at 326-3553.

-- Bakersfield Police Department

Bakersfield police are asking the public's help identifying two suspects wanted for robbery and conspiracy.

At 6:03 p.m. March 21, two suspects entered the Cigarette Mart at 1719 Columbus St., brandished a knife at an employee and stole items. The suspects left and ran south from the area.

The first suspect is described as black, in his early 20s, 5-feet-10-inches tall, 150 pounds, wearing a black T-shirt with a blue diamond design on the front and dark-colored pants. He is believed to be armed with a knife.

The second suspect is described as black, in his early 20s, 6-feet-2-inches tall, 175 pounds, wearing a black and white bandana on his head, black T-shirt, black sweat pants with two thin red stripes down the sides and red shoes.

Anyone with information regarding the identity of these suspects is asked to call the Bakersfield Police Department at 327-7111 or Detective Rick Dossey at 326-3513.

To send an anonymous text message to the BPD, enter 274637 and text BPDCRIMES along with the message. Tips can also be anonymously sent through the smartphone TipSubmit mobile app or via email at tipsubmit.com.

-- Bakersfield Police Department

A couple found dead at Sandy Flat Campground in Lake Isabella in late December died accidentally of carbon monoxide intoxication, the Kern County coroner announced Wednesday.

Hyun Sook Han and Yoon Suk Han, both 64 and from Torrance, were found by deputies inside a vehicle parked at the campground, deputies said. A propane space heater, propane cooking stove and burned coals were inside the vehicle.

-- The Californian

The California Office of Traffic Safety, California Highway Patrol, and more than 200 law enforcement agencies across California Wednesday announced high visibility enforcement operations during April's National Distracted Driving Awareness Month.

The goal of the increased enforcement is to convince drivers of the dangers of distracted driving and reduce the number of people impacted by this risky behavior. The "It's Not Worth It!" theme emphasizes that a phone call or text isn't worth a hefty fine or a crash.

In recent years, hundreds have been killed and thousands seriously injured in California as a result of crashes that involved at least one driver who was distracted. The recent rise in cell phone talking and texting has greatly increased the number of crashes.

In 2012, the California Department of Motor Vehicles reported nearly 450,000 handheld cell phone and texting convictions, with more than 57,000 tickets issued in April alone. The fine for a first time texting or hand-held cell phone violation is $159, with subsequent tickets costing $279.

The body of a large paddle-tailed rodent was found early Tuesday in the traffic lanes of southbound Mohawk Street north of Truxtun Avenue, suggesting Bakersfield's fabled bike path beaver -- scourge of local saplings -- may have died.

The lush grasses and sweeps of wildflowers cloak much of the damage to the small canyon in a blanket of ephemeral green. But Ellen Cypher and Erin Tennant can see it as they walk along a sandy route that has been churned into the bottom of the wash by motorcyclists and quad riders.

Even Kern County Supervisor Leticia Perez's self-serving, disingenuous and downright contemptuous ranting against a proposed ban of Piccolo Pete and ground flower-type fireworks wasn't nearly as stunning to me as Supervisor David Couch's silence and eventual vote against the ban.